[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 28880]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. OSWALD P. BRONSON, SR.

 Mr. GRAHAM of Florida. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to a 
fine humanitarian and Floridian, Dr. Oswald P. Bronson, Sr., who will 
be retiring in June 2004. An educator and spiritual leader, Dr. Bronson 
has spent his life building bridges between the college and the 
community. Throughout his 28-year career as President of Bethune-
Cookman College, Dr. Bronson has overseen tremendous growth and 
improvements on campus. Dr. Bronson's dedication to excellence in 
education and community advocacy has enriched the lives of Floridians 
and Americans.
  Dr. Bronson's leadership and achievements at Bethune-Cookman College 
are a benchmark in higher education. Under his guidance, the college 
has nearly doubled its enrollment to 2,500. It has raised its community 
economic impact to $250 million, boosted endowments from $1.2 million 
to $25 million, and increased its total operating budget from $6 
million to more than $45 million. His vibrant personality, genuine 
concern for the growth of the institution, and commitment to the 
founder's vision, enable him to bring unprecedented private, corporate 
and governmental support to the institution.
  Active on campus and off, Dr. Bronson's belief in service to the 
community is evident in his numerous outside activities, including his 
appointment to an advisory post by former President Bill Clinton. He 
has served as chairman and president of prestigious educational and 
religious organizations nationwide, including his most recent 
appointment to the Board of Directors for the National Association of 
Independent Colleges and Universities.
  Dr. Bronson is an ordained United Methodist Church minister, and 
former president of the Interdenominational Theological Seminary. He 
has served as a pastor in Florida, Georgia and Illinois for 16 years, 
and has lectured and taught in numerous mission schools, clinics, 
pastoral institutes and leadership training seminars.
  Dr. Bronson has fostered and strengthened Bethune-Cookman College's 
relationship with the local community and the world. A thoughtful and 
well-respected member of the Bethune-Cookman College family, Dr. 
Bronson has advocated for increased diversity and understanding on 
campus and off. I am pleased that outstanding Floridians like Dr. 
Bronson are setting an example for communities across our Nation, and I 
want to thank him for his service.

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